How To Keep Your Air Conditioner Unit Running Cool Year-Round

Does anything in this world work harder than an air conditioning unit in Florida? As summer ends and the (slightly), cooler temperatures arrive, your air conditioner will appreciate the break in word-load. But, we still have several months left in the year and you’ll still be giving your HVAC units a hefty workload as you run that AC during the sunny Florida days and the heat going during the increasingly cool evenings.

Let’s face it, in Florida, your HVAC unit never gets a break! We love our air conditioners in Florida! In fact, the USA as a whole loves air conditioner units. The USA has more air conditioning units than the rest of the world combined! Staying cool during the day and warm at night is essential to our quality of life. In order for that, you need to keep your HVAC system performing at its best year-round, year after year. Luckily,

5 Tips To Keep Your HVAC System Running Strong

Here are five tips to help decrease the odds of a breakdown and to maximize the longevity and performance of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.

Change The Filters Monthly

Changing your filters monthly is one of those standard homeowner tips that everyone knows. However, many neglect to change their filters more than once or twice a year (if that). Dirt and debris collect in the air filter and eventually cause a reduction in airflow. The reduction in airflow causes the system to work much harder.

If you Google how often you need to change your filters, you might see answers of 60 or 90 days. That does not cut it in Florida. Our HVAC systems in Florida work harder and longer than almost anywhere in the country, and that takes its toll on the filters. Changing the filters monthly will reduce wear and tear and help keep your system running efficiently.  We suggest using a 1-inch paper filter.

Tip: Set a notification on your phone that repeats every 30 days to remind you to change your filter.

Vacuum Your Drain Line

While you likely knew the importance of changing your air filters, this tip is less commonly known. However, vacuuming your drain line at least once a month in the summertime is important to prevent activating your safety switch as well as to help martian the overall efficiency of your HVAC system.

The safety switch, also known as the AC Float Switch, detects clogged drains and shuts off the system to prevent water damage. In the summer months, in particular, condensation and/or debris can lead to a clogged drain. Vacuuming and cleaning out the line will help prevent a shutdown.

Don’t Obstruct Condenser

Do not obstruct your condenser with brushes, fences, or any other object. Furthermore, when doing things like cutting the grass, make sure to cut away from the condenser to protect from flying rocks and debris. After you do cut the grass, make sure to rinse off the condenser coils until the water runs clear.

The condenser cools down the refrigerant in the system and turns it from a hot vapor back into a cool liquid. The quicker the condenser can do its job, the odds of your system breaking down decrease. And, you’ll save money on your electric bill. Any obstruction of debris build-up can lead to a breakdown

Don’t Obstruct The Return

Not obstructing your returns is vital. While often a home might have multiple air supply vents in every room, some may only have one return register, especially older systems. Obstructing just one return register can lead to major inefficiencies, restrict airflow and cause freeze-overs.

In addition to not obstructing your return registers, you also want to avoid closing the doors to unused or infrequently used rooms and make sure to keep call returns open. While closing a door and a return in an infrequently used room might seem to be a good idea to cool off a more frequently used room, it causes strain on your system.

Maintain Your System Yearly By A Licensed HVAC Professional

Systems that are looked at by a licensed professional last 40% longer. However, only 42% of homeowners have their system maintained yearly. In addition to reducing how long your system will last by not having it professionally maintained, you’ll be throwing money out the window by having a less-efficient system.

But, don’t just call any local handyperson to check up on your HVAC unit. Make sure to hire a licensed professional. In a previous blog post titled “How To Avoid Bad Contractors And Contractor Fraud In Florida,” we talk about how you can look up if a business is licensed through the state online. In addition, most businesses will list their license and any certifications they have in an “about” section on their website.

While we’d love to help you with all of your HVAC needs, the most important thing to us is that you’re having your system checked by someone who is licensed, qualified, and who will do a great job providing you outstanding service.